Weird News

Couple Could Be Fined $500 if They Water Lawn, $500 if They Don't

by Jenn Gidman, Newser Staff

(NEWSER) – In this week’s “Damned if You Do, Damned if You Don’t” file: A Southern California couple received a letter from Glendora city officials threatening to fine them $500 if they don’t get their sun-scorched brown lawn green again, reports AP. Which Laura Whitney and Michael Korte would gladly do, except for one thing: They could also be fined $500 if they water their lawn too much; they're currently only watering twice a week. With more than 80% of California in an extreme drought, according to the Los Angeles Times, the state water board voted this week to implement emergency conservation plans and gave the OK to fine water wasters up to $500 a day. As the board’s chairwoman noted, "A brown lawn should be a badge of honor because it shows you care about your community."